GALLERY: Stanthorpe QCWA toasts to the golden age

WARM plates and warm hearts were on offer in equal measure when the Stanthorpe QCWA marked a milestone at the weekend.

The Queensland Country Women's Association will officially mark its 95th birthday tomorrow, but the Stanthorpe branch celebrated the day with a hot pot luncheon on Saturday.

Stanthorpe QCWA rooms were packed with people to mark the occasion.

Jenny Mitchell OAM, from North Star, in New South Wales, was the guest speaker for the day. Mrs Mitchell said it was great to be part of the Stanthorpe branch's celebrations.

She said the organisation held a crucial role in connecting women in regional and rural areas and hoped after 95 great years the QCWA would continue to remain strong for many more decades.

The great turnout on the day was testament to the enduring relevance of the group, Mrs Mitchell said.

"I think it's marvellous and I was very happy to be able to come.

"The QCWA does an amazing amount of work in rural areas.”

Border division president Margaret Grayson was also at the luncheon and said it was fantastic to see such strong support for the QCWA 95 years on.

"I'm very pleased to be here because Stanthorpe is a very progressive branch,” she said.

"It's a great milestone. Not many organisations reach 95years.”

Stanthorpe QCWA long-time member and former president Millie Marsden said they were thrilled by the strong response to the celebration, but saddened one of the key women involved with the day was injured and unable to attend.

"We're just so disappointed Marion McLay... couldn't be here. But we're delighted with the roll-up,” she said.

Mrs Marsden said seeing the organisation still going strong after so many years was positive for their members, but she encouraged more people to join up.